Dark Charm Chapter 5
Okay. Sorry I haven't updated in a while. I hope you like this more because I do. I tried to write this in a more Kyuhyun perspective (might have failed-probably did). I hope there's no hate on this. I'm really tired. It was a good like three hours of writing and thinking and trying to be witty and sweet. Also, if I name this chapter, it would be called Liar. You'll see why. I didn't edit this so excuse any errors. Sorry I never edit. I hope you really do enjoy. Please remember this is fictional so the facts about them aren't necssarily true. Enjoy I hope.
Title: Dark Charm
Chapter: 5
Pairings: Kyuwook, Henwook (now)
"Liar."
"No."
"We're both bad liars."
"Yes, we are."
Five
In the last few weeks, Kyuhyun had never been this active in his life. Since he had a major disadvantage, Kyuhyun had made sure to be very punctual to Ryeowook’s class when the bell rang. Everytime, he nearly sprang out of his seat and tore across the building to appear right outside of Ryeowook’s class. At first, it had always shocked his best friend, and himself, when he would always appear in front of the wide-eyed boy without a trace of imperfection. However, every time that sprint was worth it. Ryeowook was breathless every time, a shyly impressed smile producing on that cute face. Kyuhyun could feel his heart beat even faster after that. It did the job though. It took his attention away from his competitor.
Kyuhyun hated to admit it but then again, he considered himself, or rather liked to, an honest person so certain things couldn’t escape him. Ryeowook had become a lot closer to Henry than Kyuhyun could’ve thought. The boy was now permanently included to their lunching place outside and walks to class, mainly because the jerk was lucky enough to have so many with Ryeowook. Those two acted very much like little preschoolers, poking fun at each other and bickering over the smallest things. Kyuhyun felt like a grown up, always separating the two before one starts pinching or poking. In his mind, he cursed at Henry’s undeniably cute charm.
So here he was again, waiting outside Ryeowook’s fourth period class. He had managed to talk Mr. Seo into letting him off early. He had finished all of the assigned homework problems in a record time. This was another thing he wanted to curse at Henry for. Kyuhyun had never spent so much effort in even copying down a note. Now here he was, painfully finishing all of his homework and assignments in class so he could leave early.
So here he was again, thinking about how he should greet Ryeowook’s eyes. Kyuhyun never failed to make that boy blush. He had five minutes now to think about this. First, he tried leaning his back against the locker and then folding his arms over his chest. Perhaps, Kyuhyun should be looking down so that his hair would keep his expression hidden. Kyuhyun liked this little element of mystery in the plan. He kept one long leg bent outward and the other sliding the same way so all the pressure was on his heel. He could imagine seeing Ryeowook leave the classroom from the corner of his eyes. Then he would make his move. Kyuhyun would slowly lift his head and eyes so from underneath his hair and use that crooked smile that always got Ryeowook. This was Plan A.
Kyuhyun now changed his position so that he was now leaning with his shoulder. He slid his arms across his chest then let his right leg cross over his left. Kyuhyun applied all the pressure of his body onto his right shoulder. He made sure that his expression was right too. He wasn’t supposed to look happy or sad or upset. It was to be loose. This was his casual posture, casual yet expecting of Ryeowook’s company. Yes, he was to look expecting. Of couse, he’d have to use that secret weapon of a smile afterwards. This was Plan B.
In another second, Kyuhyun had completely changed his position again. He was no longer using the locker. This one was simple. Kyuhyun just shoved his hands deep into the pockets of his pants. His shoulders bunched slightly towards his head as he looked downwards and shuffled his shoes on the floor. This would’ve been his aloof posture. That wasn’t it, because the moment Ryeowook would come through that door. He’d look up and meet those eyes. The next instant, Kyuhyun would give a big smile, showing interest. Plan C had now been made. However today, Kyuhyun wanted to try something different. He just didn’t know what.
The bell rang. Kyuhyun panicked in his head, still undecided in how to present himself. People were filing out of the room now. Kyuhyun kept fidgeting around. One second, he leaned against the locker and the next he shoved himself off of it. His arms kept lacing across his shoulders then out. He didn’t know what to do. He just wanted to see that look on Ryeowook’s face again.
Ryeowook scooted out of the door, mid conversation with Henry. They were laughing quite happily about something. Or Ryeowook was laughing and Henry was scowling cutely. Kyuhyun couldn’t help but feel his chest tighten when he saw his best friend. Ryeowook must be the cutest guy in his mind. The boy was holding his books to his chest with one hand then with the back of the other pressed against his lips as he laughed. Kyuhyun found himself walking over to the boy, forgetting all about positioning himself.
“Hi.” Kyuhyun replied, sounding a little breathless.
“Hi.”
“Hi.” Kyuhyun spoke again with a bigger smile.
“Hey.” Henry nodded slowly at Kyuhyun. It was a little awkward between the two of them. They did have a bit of competition for Ryeowook’s attention.
Now Ryeowook and Henry continued that topic they were talking about. It was something about how Henry’s cheeks made him look like a chipmunk. Kyuhyun just listened in, slightly happy that Henry was fuming inside but also disappointed that Ryeowook was willing to keep it up. Luckily, Henry doesn’t bring a lunch and has to part with them for a little while to buy it. So off the dimple boy goes, making Kyuhyun very pleased at the opportunity of being alone with Ryeowook.
“So…” Kyuhyun began, trying to search for something to say. He was conscious of Ryeowook’s dark eyes looking up at him.
“Yes…?”
“I see that you and Henry have become close friends.”
“Henli?”
“You can say his name now. He’s not here.” Kyuhyun’s teeth grinded together.
“Oh! That’s right.” Ryeowook gave him a questioning look before poking fun, “I guess, we’re friends. Why are you jealous?”
“No.”
“Someone’s jealous.”
“No.”
“Liar.”
“No.” Kyuhyun stiffened a bit.
“That’s okay. I’ll always love you more.”
There was brief silence after this. Even Kyuhyun didn’t know how to play up on this situation. There was too much to think about, too much to consider. He didn’t dare to look at Ryeowook’s face right now. Kyuhyun didn’t want to see a happy, joking face or perhaps a serious one. His chest would’ve exploded either way.
“Glad to hear that.” Kyuhyun smiled looking at the usual tree where they ate their lunch. There was still quite a distance to walk. “I will always love you more too.”
This caused a big pout from Ryeowook’s face. “I better not have competition from Henry.”
“I think I should be saying that.” Kyuhyun laughed at the childishness and the oblivion.
“So jealous.”
“No.”
“Liar.”
“No.”
“But you’ve already lied to me before.” Ryeowook wanted to slap himself after saying that. There was no way he was ready to reveal that night now.
“When?” Kyuhyun asked, now willing to look down at Ryeowook’s turned face.
“I don’t remember.”
There was another silence between them. There were more of those now. Kyuhyun had slightly lost his ability to charm his way into anything with Ryeowook. It was more difficult now for him.
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“Liar.”
“No.”
“We’re both bad liars.” Kyuhyun smiled at this.
“Yes, we are.”
All was well again.
“Well…since Henry makes me a bit jealous.” Kyuhyun pulled Ryeowook closer to him by sliding his arm around the other’s bony shoulders. “I guess, I’ll just have to keep you away from him.”
“How are you planning on doing that?”
“With stuff like this.” Kyuhyun brushed Ryeowook’s hair with his lips.
“Yah! Cho Kyuhyun!” This didn’t stop the boy.
“What is it, dear?” He could feel Ryeowook try to slip away. Kyuhyun smiled. He was stronger.
“What are you doing? Don’t call me dear!”
“Claiming you, dear.”
“Why do you need to claim me?” Ryeowook squeaked, peeking around to see if anyone was watching them. Kyuhyun was happy that Ryeowook wasn’t stopping him.
“So no one steals you away.”
“I already told you that Henry won't take me away.”
“Say that line again.”
“No.”
“Come on.”
“No.”
This angered Kyuhyun a bit. He travelled down to Ryeowook’s ear. He purposely breathed against it as he mumured. They had reached the tree but Ryeowook hadn’t sat down or pulled away yet.
“Say it again.”
“No.” Ryeowook scrunched his face into a tight frown. It was all too adorable.
“Then, I’ll just have to keep putting a claim on you.”
“Yah! Stop it Kyuhyun! People will see.” The next statement angered Kyuhyun more and induced him to tighten his grip around Ryeowook. “Henli will see.”
“Then stop me.” Kyuhyun breathed against Ryeowook’s face, feeling the cheeks burn against his lips. He smiled in victory because Ryeowook didn’t know how to defend himself or didn’t want to.
“Ryeowook, why aren’t you stopping me?”
“You’re too strong.”
“Ryeowook, why aren’t you stopping me?” He sensed victory in the whisper.
“You’re too strong.” Ryeowook repeated with a weaker voice.
“Liar.”
“No.”
Kyuhyun chuckled against the burning skin. It was nice to have control again. And it was even better now because he could feel Ryeowook slowly follow him. He wasn’t hiding anymore. They weren’t hiding anymore. Ryeowook was slowly realizing their mutual feelings. Or at least, Kyuhyun hoped he was. Nonetheless, he was happier now like this.
“You don’t need to claim me, Kyuhyun.”
“Why not?”
“I’m not something to be claimed. I can make decisions.”
“That’s why you need claiming.” Kyuhyun was still talking into the cheek.
“Why?”
“Because I loved you first.”
Ryeowook wouldn’t let him do what he wanted to. “I love you too.”
“Say that again.” Kyuhyun grinned victoriously.
Ryeowook diverted again. “You don’t have to worry. Henry doesn’t love me.”
“Not like I do.”
“Right.”
“Not yet.”
“No.” Ryeowook had turned his head to Kyuhyun. The closeness had caught him off guard. He whispered lightly against Kyuhyun’s lips.
“That’s not enough.” Kyuhyun breathed back.
“A lot of things aren’t enough.”
“This isn’t enough.” He tried not to regret his statement. He told himself that he wanted and was going to be more honest.
“This?”
“Never is.”
“It could be.”
Ryeowook knew. He had to know. Kyuhyun was panicking inside. He felt weird and couldn’t think but he just had to ask. This was the moment he had been waiting for and dreading for.
“You know?”
“Know what?”
“Liar.”
“Yes.”
“You know?”
“No.”
Kyuhyun smiled lazily at the stubborn boy. The boy was trying to weave a web so that Kyuhyun would get confused. He wasn’t really. He was just relieved that his best friend was taking this well and not freaking out.
“How long?”
“A couple of months?”
“Wow. That long?”
Ryeowook slowly hung his head down. He was ashamed at how long he had made his best friend anxious. Kyuhyun couldn’t get mad at him though. He treasured those months. Without them, it wouldn’t be like this.
“I’m sorry.” Ryeowook whispered, still staring down at their shoes.
“Don’t be. Why do you let me do stuff like this then?” Kyuhyun pressed his lips against the soft tendrils of Ryeowook’s hair. He could hear his breath stifle in embarassment or something else.
“I don’t know.”
“Liar.”
“No.” Ryeowook’s voice was firm. “I’m not entirely sure yet.”
Kyuhyun decided to trust his best friend. It was enough to him that Ryeowook was confused and considering the possibility. That was enough for now.
“Do you like Henry?”
“I don’t think so.” Ryeowook looked back up, trying to convince Kyuhyun yet also be honest all at once and it wasn’t working well. It was confusing him more. “I feel different around Henry than when I’m around you.”
“How so?”
“I…It’s hard to explain and please don’t take this the wrong way.” Ryeowook was pleading again. “When I’m with you, I feel a bit strange. “
“Strange?”
“Yes. I just like don’t know what to do because I don’t mind the things that you do. It feels nice too usually but it feels strange too. I feel happy and weird all at once and it confuses me. You confuse me. I don’t know what to do. I’ve never felt this way with anyone. It’s just that some part of me is…afraid, I guess. I don’t want things to end badly. That I was sure of but then you said that.”
“Said what?”
“That you loved being my best friend. That made me feel weird again. I was kind of angry. Then you said that it’s not enough. And I think to myself that maybe it isn’t when it should be. Or maybe it is right now and I can’t tell. I can’t tell…because…I can’t see how it could be.”
“So why don’t we try?” Kyuhyun pulled his head back to look in his eyes.
“I don’t know if I’m ready yet.” Ryeowook ducked his head again so he wouldn’t have to deal those intense eyes.
“And him?”
“Around him, I feel really happy…in a different way. He makes me smile without thinking. I think it’s how cute he is but around him, I don’t have to think as much. All I know is that I can watch him and feel alright because I want to. I know that I can smile if I want to and because I want to and that won’t lead me to anything. I won’t be confused.”
“So what now?”
“I don’t know.”
“I knew that kid was trouble.” Kyuhyun growled.
“I told you, didn’t I? I told you that you had mighty competition.”
“You love me more though?”
Ryeowook nodded.
“Liar.”
“No.” Ryeowook was all smiles now.
Kyuhyun finally closed that little distance between them. He did this intentionally but also remembering that Ryeowook wasn’t ready yet and perhaps that the future would reward him so much more if he waited. Kyuhyun saw his best friend stiffen and close his eyes at the sudden movement. So he pressed in against the cool forehead and let it remain there for some time.
“Thank you.” Kyuhyun smiled heartily as he pulled away to look at the shy boy’s face. “Thank you, Kim Ryeowook.”
“I think it’s too early for that.”
“No.”
Ryeowook stared at him in confusion.
“Because even this can be enough.”
“We’ll see.”
“Yes, we will.” Kyuhyun was truly smiling now. Smiling without planning. Smiling without thinking and this felt good.
And now, they could see Henry running towards them. Kyuhyun released the hold on Ryeowook as he watched those eyes follow the moving figure. There was a light in his eyes. A certain happiness and it was different from the one that they shared. Kyuhyun didn’t know yet. It was too early. He could also feel Ryeowook tense inside because Kyuhyun was watching him. The boy hurriedly looked back up at Kyuhyun to check the reaction.
Kyuhyun smiled crookedly and whispered, “It’s okay. I can wait.”
It was worth it. Honesty was worth it. Even if it would make things a little more awkward or confusing, it was worth it. Without it, he would’ve never seen this hope of his. Kyuhyun would’ve never known that Ryeowook could…that there was that possibility. There could be the big reward waiting for him out there. And suddenly, he was reminded of the song he had heard Ryeowook sing in Music.
Honesty is such a lonely word.
Everyone is so untrue.
Honesty is hardly ever heard.
And mostly what I need from you.
He was going to be honest now. Kyuhyun was going to be even more honest now and he hoped that Ryeowook was going to be too. Kyuhyun hoped that Ryeowook wanted it as much as he did. He watched Henry close in and double over because he had sprinted here. There was a cute smile on his face as he panted towards the ground. He looked up and that was cute too. Kyuhyun couldn’t help but be annoyed at the mochi boy.
Instead, he took this moment to raise a challenge. Kyuhyun held onto Ryeowook’s arm and leaned into his ear.
“The first two times don’t count. You’re too mean. You have to let me do it properly next time. I’ll wait a little until you’re ready.”
With this, Kyuhyun sat down and opened up his lunch, leaving the stunned boy to think on it. He munched happily on his food and smiling up in amusement as Ryeowook froze up. Henry was now in front of Ryeowook, waving his hand in front of the wide-eyed face. Now he waved more emphatically. This would keep Ryeowook’s attention away from Henry for a while. It never dawned on Ryeowook that Kyuhyun had been awake that time. He had been awake all along.
Just wait until next time.